The Most Veg-Friendly Cities in North America

Written by PETA | July 14, 2010

With so many smart folks going veg, the number of restaurants and other business catering (often literally) to our appetites is booming, which makes our task of compiling lists of vegetarian-friendly cities tougher each time. But we never shrink from a challenge—or from the chance to discover totally delish new veggie eateries—so we’re proud to present our list of the top 10 large and small North American cities for vegans and vegetarians.

Large Cities

Washington, D.C.Although Congress may be populated by purveyors of “pork,” Washington is making a bid to become the nation’s capital of veggie dining. Folks on both sides of the aisle could surely reach a bipartisan consensus on the faux turkey club sandwich from Java Green, ratify the vegan pepperoni and mozzarella pizza at Busboys and Poets, and put an end to the gridlock for a trip to Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant in nearby Falls Church, Virginia, to enjoy Popeye’s Favorite—a potato pie mixed with spinach, soy protein, and veggie bacon in a black-pepper sauce—followed by egg-free and milk-free organic pumpkin pie or almond-blueberry pie.

Portland, OregonPortland’s volcanoes may be extinct, but the city’s vegan scene has erupted—enough to propel Portland into our number two position. From the luscious lasagne at Papa G’s Vegan Organic Deli to the sizzling TLP (tempeh bacon, lettuce, and peppers) at Red and Black Café, to the barbecue tempeh platter at the Blossoming Lotus, vegan Portlanders have plenty of reasons to be happy with their hometown.

Albuquerque, New MexicoGoing vegan in Albuquerque is easier than learning how to spell the city’s name! You’ll find vegan options aplenty, such as the veggie chicken nuggets and boba tea at the Fei Health Café and the tofu scramble at Flying Star Café. Also check out both locations of Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Café, offering a selection of vegan bakery items and ayurvedic cooking classes.

Atlanta, GeorgiaLife for Georgia’s vegans is increasingly peachy, with restaurants such as Café Sunflower (offering stuffed mushroom caps in a miso mushroom sauce), Green Sprout (presenting veggie pork with tofu and Szechuan sauce), and Ria’s Bluebird (serving up Southwest tofu scramble with veggies). The South will rise again—and ask for seconds.

Seattle, WashingtonSeattle has a reputation for being rainy, but even when it’s overcast, Seattle is a sunny place for vegans. For instance, Araya’s Place curries favor with a Thai red curry with tofu, Thrive tops its fiery Chili con Marvelous with onion cashew cream, and Wayward Vegan Café dazzles with the Warlock, a faux-chicken sandwich spiced up with a savory chipotle-tahini sauce.

Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaWhile we had our differences with the recent Olympic Games held there, we can’t hold that against this beautiful city. Especially not while they’re serving up almond masala cakes at Organic Lives, spicy falafel wraps at Gorilla Food, and a golden rice bowl with marinated Gardein strips, mock shrimp, and sautéed tofu at Loving Hut.

San Francisco, CaliforniaThe City by the Bay has opened its Golden Gate to a wide variety of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants and cafés. While celebrated spots such as Millenium and Greens are well worth a visit, don’t miss out on the “Neatloaf” at Ananda Fuara, the Broccoli Beef & Black Mushroom entrée at Golden Era, or the grilled portobello mushroom over creamy polenta, sautéed spinach, and crostini at the all-vegan Herbivore.

New York, New YorkThey may live in the city that never sleeps, but Big Apple residents are clearly using those extra waking hours to think up more great vegan stuff to eat. With choices like the pumpkin noodles with sautéed vegetables at HanGawi, a marinated and grilled Bamburger or spaghetti and “meatballs” at Red Bamboo, and spinach omelets, pesto noodles, or Unchicken Nachos at the all-vegan Caravan of Dreams, no wonder Gothamites are staying up nights!

Toronto, Ontario, CanadaCanada’s largest city comes through for the hungry vegetarians of the Great White North. No one who’s had the raw vegan Pasta Bolognese at Rawlicious, the eggplant in ginger sauce at Commensal, or the beer-battered deep-fried tofu with cornmeal at Fressen would be surprised to find Toronto rounding out our list in style.

Topeka, KansasBlackbird Espresso Bar and Bistro: Hummus and veggie wraps and vegan bakery items such as chocolate-chip cookies and banana-nut bread. Globe: Baingan Bartha (fresh eggplant baked over an open flame, served with green peas and gently tempered with aromatic herbs and spices), Chana Masala (whole chickpeas cooked with onion, tomato, garlic, ginger, herbs, and spices) Tup Tim Thai: Thai Curry Triangles (golden wontons filled with veggies such as sweet potatoes and celery, flavored with turmeric and served with chili-garlic sauce), Massaman Tofu Curry (with peanuts, potatoes, and vegetables). Any curry can be made with tofu and without fish sauce.

Commenting is closed.

Was Philadelphia in contention? There are so many great Veg only and veg friendly places, from the “Vegetarian McDonald’s” Hip City Veg, to the upscale Vedge. Almost every pub has a vegan friendly offering (try the Kale burger at Cedar Point, or the Veggie Burger at Monks). Anyway, great list, will have to check some of these places out.

Just returned from extended stay in Halifax,Nova Scotia Canada from my home in Toronto,Ontario, Canada. Toronto is listed as a top 10 vegetarian city in Canada. I strongly disagree. Everywhere we went in Halifax there were close, easy to reach vegetarian and vegan places to eat with excellent choices. I return to Toronto and have to drive quite far or travel a fair distance to get about 20% of the variety. In Halifax, I can either walk, cycle in this bicycle -friendly city or drive 5-10 minutes maximum to find local source markets, or numerous vegetarian and vegan restaurants everywhere. Plus, most restaurants have vegetarian listed items on their menus! 🙂

I agree with Lori, Victoria BC should be a serious candidate for top 10 small cities. We have at least three good vegan cuisines off the top of my head, maybe more: Green Cuisine (buffet), Lotus Pond (Buddhist), Cafe Bliss (raw).

Portland is defiantly correct. There is a place called Voodoo donut, and they sell really good vegan donuts. There are actually a lot of good choices when it comes to eating vegan/ vegetarian in Portland. I was happy to see it on here.

I think Boulder, Colorado might be near the top of the Small Town list. They were one of the earliest towns to welcome alternative/hippie/vegetarian life styles. Many of their early coops turned into veg/organic groceries stores that Whole Foods models themselves after. Falafel King on Pearl Street has to be one of the first of its kind. Now plenty of Indian/Nepalese restaurants are there as well.

Considering that its 7th day adventist population is SO veg and health oriented that it fought to try and keep a McDonald’s restaurant out of its town, I’d say that Loma Linda California definitely deserves mention. Granted that it’s a small community of about 21,000 on the outskirts of Riverside.

For small cities Victoria BC really should have been on here! We have great vegetarian restaurants and cafes. Vegan cookbook author Sarah Kramer lives here and has a cute little vegan shop. Her and her husband Gerry also own a tattoo shop where of course they use vegan ink. We also have a new vegan shoe and accessory store. We are very vegan friendly 🙂

Hoping you don’t leave Frederick, Maryland off your small cities list next year! In our small city, we have over 30 veg-friendly (or total Veg) restaurants and supermarkets, most within an 8-block long, 4 block-wide historic downtown area!

I’m sorry, but I live in Burlington, I have my whole life, and we have no vegan restaurants. Sure you can pick and choose what goes in your meal, and there are always salads, but honestly, there are barely any places that have vegan options on the menu. I would suggest stocking up at the health food store, but even that gets old after a while.

I’m sorry, but Washington DC has to be more like the number 1 least friendly city for vegans and vegetarians. If you’re planning to spend some time there, as I did a couple weeks ago, you will be disappointed and hungry. The downtown area has little to nothing to offer. My recommendation is to stop by Wholefoods and stock up, but this gets old very quickly and you can’t take food into the hot spots. There is one vegan cafe that is popular, but it is expensive, and a walk to get to. Good luck, and let us what you find if you decide to go. The museums are great, so some suffering is worth while.

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